Thomas Peel’s Ships

Thomas Peel set sail for the newly founded Swan River Colony, Western Australia, in 1829 with three ships: the Gilmore, the Rockingham and the Hooghly. These three ships were loaded with general cargo consisting of farming implements, cattle, horses, and other farm animals, building material and a number of settlers with furniture and other household goods.

Unfortunately not a lot of details are recorded of some of the vessels of this period, not even in the “Bible of Ships”, which is the Lloyds registry of ships. This lack of detail is for a number of reasons, one of which is where the ship in question was built – if it was not built in Britain the details may be difficult to trace because of lack of documentation. It is also most unlikely any photographs exist, but some paintings may have been made of some of these early vessels.

The Gilmore

Built: 1824 in Calcutta Tonnage: 550 tons Captain: William Thomas Geary Arrived: 15th December 1829 Broken up: After 1860-62

The Gilmore was built in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1824. She was a full rigged ship sheathed in copper, weighed about 550 tons, and may have been an opium trader. She was acquired to take 182 settlers to the Swan River colony. This was her first voyage since being lengthened and re-commissioned earlier in 1829. Yet her departure was delayed due to bad weather and a mutiny by the crew, as they found the distance too long.

In July 1829, the Gilmore sailed from the St Katherine Docks in London, picking up more passengers in Gravesend (where heavy winds slowed her) and Plymouth. There were further delays at Capetown; the captain, Geary, had married one of the passengers and was in no hurry to leave. But Peel was in a hurry. He would be given a land grant for the south east area of Perth, between the Swan and Canning Rivers, if he arrived before the 1st November 1829. However he didn’t, arriving instead on the 15th December of that year. Thus, he was given 250,000 acres of land between Cockburn Sound and the Peel Inlet.

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The passengers on the Gilmore finally came ashore at the end of December, at Clarence (Woodman’s Point). They lived on the beach there for the first winter, in which about 30 settlers died.

In Lloyd’s Register for Ships for 1837, the Gilmore was by then owned by Duncan, Gibb and Co. of Liverpool, and then travelled between London and Bombay (Mumbai). She was sold to R Barry and Co. of London, where she was sent trading to New South Wales and India. The Gilmore was doubled and re-sheathed in 1841, with large repairs done in both 1843 and 1848. In 1852, she was bought by a Farquharson, who sold her to Bryant and Co. and she then traded between London and India. Between 1860 and 1862, the Gilmore disappeared from the lists; it was probably at this time that she was broken up.

The Hooghly

Built: 1819 in Calcutta Tonnage: 550 tons Captain: Peter John Reeves Arrived: 13th February 1830 Broken Up: After 1856

The Hooghly was built in Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1819, and was probably named after the Hooghly River. She was constructed from teak, was 466 tons and was owned by Buckley and Co. She was lengthened for the Australian migrant trade, with her tonnage being increased to 550 tons. The Hooghly was chartered for Thomas Peel’s voyage to the Swan River Colony, taking 173 passengers and their possessions. Her crew included Captain Reeves and the mate George Bayly, whose journal for this voyage, and others, survives. The Hooghly arrived on 13th February 1830 at Clarence. This was her only visit to West Australia, but at the time she was the largest ship to have visited the colony. She left Perth in March 1830 bound for London via Singapore, with a number of steerage passengers.

The Hooghly made four voyages to Sydney as a convict transport in 1825, 1827, 1831 and 1834; and she carried migrants to South Australia, with six voyages between 1836 and 1856. She also sailed from Cork, in Ireland, to Jackson Bay, in New South Wales, with Irish migrants. One voyage was also from London, leaving on the 19th February 1839, to Port Adelaide, arriving on the 17th July 1839, with 290 migrants. She sailed again from Plymouth in the UK, bound for Adelaide in South Australia. She arrived on the 25th July 1840. In 1842 she sailed from Calcutta to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) with a cargo of prisoners and horses. The captain was former mate George Bayly. The Hooghly’s last recorded voyage to Australia was on the 3rd July 1856, when she left Plymouth bound for Adelaide. She arrived on the 24th October. It is not known when she was broken up.

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The Rockingham

Built: 1818 in Sunderland Tonnage: 427 tons Length: 109 feet, 11 inches (33.5m) Breadth: 29 feet, 7 inches (9.02m) Captain: Haliburton Arrived: May 1830 Wrecked: 24th May 1830

The Rockingham was built in Sunderland, England, by Laing in 1818. She had a tonnage of 427 tons. The Rockingham had previously travelled to India in 1822-3 under Captain Charles Beach. She was the last of Peel’s three ships to arrive, having left London in January 1830, and arrived in mid- May under command of Captain Haliburton. Her late departure was due to bad weather and doubts of the Swan River Colony’s viability, which were circulating in England. Upon her arrival, a naval officer guided her through reefs to Cockburn Sound. Peel wished for the settlers and cargo to be brought ashore at once, despite the worsening weather. This meant the Rockingham was nearer shore when a huge storm blew up during the night. The ship’s capstan broke due to the strain put upon it, her rudder was damaged and the strong winds drove her and four other onto the beach. The 180 settlers were landed in the surf, but all survived. The Rockingham was repaired, but after going out to sea for a few days was found to be leaking. She was condemned as unseaworthy, and was wrecked again at Clarence. She brought much needed supplies to the colony, but also brought more mouths to feed. Captain Haliburton took command of the Orelia (or Aurelia) from Hobart Town, her captain having resigned. Captain Haliburton may have been the man who injured Thomas Peel’s right hand in 1830.

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References:

The West Australian: “The Ship Gilmore”. 20th Feb 1935, pg 17.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser: “Swan River”. Saturday 1st January 1831, pg 2.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser: “Swan River”. Saturday 7th November 1829, pg 2.

Burgess J. Mandurah – Water Under the Bridge. Town of Mandurah, 1988.

Hasluck A. Thomas Peel of the Swan River. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. 1965.

Richards R. Murray and Mandurah: A sequel history of the Old Murray District of Western Australia. Shire of Murray and City of Mandurah, 1993.

Richards R. The Murray District of Western Australia: A History. Shire of Murray, 1978.

The National Archives, UK. Retrieved 2013 from: < http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/default.htm >

J S Battye Library of West Australian History. Private Archives – Collection Listing (2008). Retrieved 2013 from: < http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/pdf/mn/mn1501_2000/mn1666.pdf >

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Passenger List The Gilmore

ADRON, Andrew LARKIN, Charles ARMSTRONG, Adam and 6 children LEISHAM, Robert BAILEY, Mr & Mrs and 4 children LEWIS, Henry BARWELL, Daniel LIPSCOMBE, Fred BASKERVILLE, John LYTTLETON, Mr & Mrs and 2 children BAXTER MACKENZIE, George BEADMAN, William MEARES, Captain & Mrs & 4 sons and BEALE, R. 4 daughters BROWN, Thomas & Mrs and 3 children MEARES, Payton Gamble CLAP, Arthur MURPHY, George COOK, Benjamin & Mrs and 1 child PEEL, Thomas COOK, Lancelot PEEL COUSINS, Mr & Mrs and 4 children PENGILLY, Mr & Mrs and 1 child CRANE, Mr B. & Mrs and 3 children PEPPER, George CRISP, John & Mrs and 6 children PERRY, Joshua COCKETT, Charles PETIT, Mr & Mrs and 7 children DALTON, William PIERCE, Thomas DOLLIER, Jas POTTER, Mr & Mrs and 1 child DUNNAGE, George and Mrs POWELL, Richard & Mrs and 3 EDGECUMBE, Mr & Mrs and 4 children children ELMSLIE, Adam Wallace and 2 PRESTON, George children ROBERTSON, John Gordon FARQUAHAR SMITH, George FLAHERTY, Mr & Mrs and 6 children SMITH, John FORWARD, Henry SMITHERS, W. H. & Mrs and 5 FULLMAN, Levy children GAHAN, Townshend STAME, Louisa GAYZE, William STEWARD, Peter GRIX, Jas THOMAS, Mr & Mrs and 5 children HAYMES, Richard TUOMEY, William HOBLEY, Thomas WALSH, Thomas HUNTER, Thomas WARD, John INGLIS, William N. WATSON, Thomas INKPEN, Jas & Mrs and 5 children WATTERTON, Edward JACKSON, Chas WHOLMAN, John JOHNSTONE WISE, Sarah JONES, Henry WILSON, Thomas and 2 children KEATS, Mr and Mrs

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Passenger List The Hooghly

ANDERSON, James and Mrs LOCKYER, Paul & Mrs and 7 children BARNARD, William MAIN, Richard BEARD, William MARTIN, William & Mrs and 1 child BOND, Henry R. & Mrs and 3 children MEAD, Joseph BOOTHMAN, Edward MEREDITH, William & Mrs and 4 children BOUGLAS, George McKNOE, Joseph BRIEN, Thomas MINSON, Robert & Mrs and 1 child BROUGHTON, Joseph & Mrs and 5 children NEAL, Peter BUTLER, William NORCOPE, Samuel & Mrs and 3 children CARPENTER, William OAKLEY, Mr & Mrs and 1 child CLAMP, Mr and Mrs OATRIDGE, John COLLIER, Samuel ORGILL, Mr & Mrs and niece COOK, James PARKER, Mr & Mrs and 3 children COOPER, James ROGERS, William COOPER, James RUSSELL, William COOPER, William SANDERS, William DEVENISH, William & Mrs and 5 children SHEPPARD, John & Mrs and 5 children DUDLEY, Thomas & Mrs and 3 children SHORTER, Thomas EDWARDS, Richard & Mrs and 5 children SPICE, Saul & Mrs and 6 children FARQUHAR, John & Mrs and 3 children STRICKLAND, Robert & Mrs and 6 children FOSTER, William SYRED, Thomas FRREMAN, Isaac SYRED, George FULLER, Richard SYRED, Daniel GOODMAN, James TICHBOW, John & Mrs and 2 children GRIFFITH, Dr and Mrs VELVICK, John HARRISON, Thomas & Mrs and 3 children VELVICK, Thomas HERD, William & Mrs VELVICK, William HOOD, Charles WARD, Joel JOHNSON, Simon WARD, William & Mrs and 3 children JONES, Joseph WATSON, William JONES, Thomas WATTS, James KIRK, Henry WEAVER, John LAMBERTH, William WHITE, Alexander T. LAWRENCE, James WILKINSON, John LOCKYER, James & Mrs and 2 children WOLLAND, John WOODWARD, James & Mrs and 7 children

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Passenger List The Rockingham

ADAMS, Mr & Mrs and 2 children LONG, Thomas AMBROSE, Mr and Mrs LONG, Zacariah BALLS, John MANEY, Margaret (servant to Mrs BARBER, Richard GREENE) BARNES, William MARTIN, Mr & Mrs and 3 children BATES, Mr & Mrs and 5 children MARTIN, William BATTRASS, Thomas MEWS, Mr & Mrs and 4 children CATO, Mr & Mrs and 5 children MORGAN, Diana (servant to Mrs CLYDE (GLYDE?), Mr and 4 children COOMBES) COOK, Mr & Mrs and 3 children MORRIS, Richard COOK, Henry MORRIS, Thomas COOK, Thomas PALMER, Mr & Mrs and 2 children COOK, William PARSONS, Mr & Mrs and 3 children COOMBES, Mrs and 4 children POLLARD, Mr & Mrs and 2 children COX, Samuel POWIS, Mr & Mrs and 2 sons CROCKER, Ann QUIN, Kevin DENNIS, Robert RAWLINS, Mr & Mrs and 5 children DODDS, Mr & Mrs and 5 children READ, Athold EDWARDS, Mr & Mrs and 4 children READ, Charles EACOTT, Mr & Mrs and 1 child READ, Emma FARRIS (FERRES?), John READ, Mark FIELD, Robert READ, Mr and Mrs FLETCHER, Mr & Mrs and 1 child ROBINSON, Mr & Mrs and 1 child FORWARD, James ROGERS, R. J.C. GLOVER, Thomas ROSE, Mr & Mrs GRAHAM, John ROWES, Mr & Mrs and 2 sons GREENE, Mr & Mrs RYAN, Patrick HALL, John SHAW, Edward HODGES, James SHEPPARD, Mr & Mrs and 2 children HOOK (COOK?), Mrs Henry SMITH, Benjamin HURRELL, John SMITH, George LACEY, Mr & Mrs and 4 children STONER, John LANGLEY, Dr. Nicholas W. TAPPER, Mr & Mrs and 2 children LEDGARD, William TUCKEY, Mr and 2 sons LEEDER, Mr & Mrs and 5 children WALLER, Richard LIGHT, John WARE, Titus LIGHT, Robert WILLIAMS, A. and 2 children in care LIVINGSTON (SWINSTONE?), Samuel WILLIAMS, Mr and Mrs

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Timeline

1818 The Rockingham built in England

1819 The Hooghly built in India

1822-3 The Rockingham travels to India

1824 The Gilmore is built in India

1825-34 The Hooghly takes convicts to Sydney over four voyages

1829 The Gilmore is lengthened and re-commissioned

July 1829 The Gilmore sets sail from London to the Swan River Colony c. September/October 1829 The Hooghly sets sail for the Swan River

December 1829 The Gilmore arrives at Perth

January 1830 The Rockingham leaves London for the Swan River

February 1830 The Hooghly arrives

March 1830 The Hooghly leaves Perth

May 1830 The Rockingham arrives at the Swan River Colony, and is wrecked after a storm

1836-56 The Hooghly takes migrants to South Australia over six voyages

1837 The Gilmore is owned by Duncan, Gibb & Co.

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Timeline cont’d

1839 The Hooghly takes Irish settlers to Port Jackson, NSW

1840 The Hooghly travels to South Australia

1841 The Gilmore is doubled and re-sheathed

1842 The Hooghly travels to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)

1843 Repairs done to the Gilmore

1848 The Gilmore undergoes repairs

1852 The Gilmore is bought by Farquharson

1856 The last recorded voyage of the Hooghly: to Adelaide

1860-62 The Hooghly is probably broken up

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